Underwood, Warren Hold Discussion on Safeguarding Maternal Health During COVID-19 | Representative Lauren Underwood
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Underwood, Warren Hold Discussion on Safeguarding Maternal Health During COVID-19

September 17, 2020

Members recently introduced the Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act to ensure protections for pregnant women are in place during the coronavirus public health emergency

WASHINGTON— Yesterday, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) held a virtual discussion on safeguarding maternal health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Underwood and Warren recently introduced the bicameral Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act to address the impacts of the pandemic on the United States' maternal health crisis. The legislation would improve data collection and research and make critical investments to mitigate pregnancy-related risks during the public health emergency. During the discussion, Underwood and Warren discussed the importance of their new legislation and other policies to improve maternal health outcomes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The coronavirus pandemic threatens to worsen our nation's maternal mortality crisis — placing the health of pregnant women and new moms at even greater risk. As we continue to fight this virus and Congress develops legislation to address the pandemic, we must take action to protect moms. I'm proud to lead the Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act with Senator Warren, which makes critical investments that will safeguard maternal health during this pandemic and beyond," said Rep. Underwood.

"As the federal government responds to the COVID-19 crisis, it cannot lose sight of the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown pregnant people, all while the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to exacerbate these disparities. That's why I am so proud to have introduced the Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act with Congresswoman Underwood, building on common sense legislation to ensure the federal government's response to COVID-19 centers pregnant people and confronts systemic racism and discrimination in our health care system," said Senator Warren.

Full video on the virtual event can be foundhere.